FROM A PROUD OWNER TO HIS STAFF
I just want to take this opportunity to tell the staff of Q just how fucking incredible you all are.
In a town known for underwhelming service where nightlife is concerned, you guys, in the course of less than three days, have delivered shock and fucking awe to the entire system.
As gorgeous as the club is and as amazing as our sound and lighting system are — and it is gorgeous and they are amazing — what everyone in Seattle is talking about is YOU!
How brilliantly polite and friendly you all are and what a joy it is to come into a place where the staff treats its customers like they deserve to be treated — as part of the Q family.
Of special note is our outrageous security team headed up by the brilliant Dave Price.
I’ve had no fewer than a hundred people come up to shake my hand and to tell me what an amazing team our security detail is. How safe our customers are made to feel with all of you looking out for their well-being and what a truly incredible first impression you make on the public as they come into the club.
You guys keep our patrons safe from the outside world so they can enjoy our club and you do it in the friendliest, most professional manner imaginable.
When a customer fainted on the sidewalk after leaving the club, the level of intense compassion and deep personal concern you displayed for that person as you rendered aid and waited for an ambulance caused me to have to walk away from the scene so that no one could see the tears in my eyes.
To my entire staff I want to say thank you for making our opening weekend one that was truly legendary.
C. Scott Smith
September 10th, 2012 at 6:50 am
Ya big softie/galoot.
September 10th, 2012 at 7:53 am
Congratulations Scott! It sounds like the weekend was amazing. Best wishes to you and your staff for continued success!
September 10th, 2012 at 8:15 am
It’s that ability to express appreciation and to value those who help realize one’s dreams that inspires devotion, even love, between a business owner and his staff. Not that I am in any way surprised ti find that quality in you, Scott.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:16 am
your note is exactly what a fine, concerned and caring leader would do.
congratulations on your opening, scott.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:18 am
It’s that ability to express appreciation and to value the contributions of those who help realize one’s dreams that inspires devotion, pride in the work, even love, between a business owner and and the staff. Not that I’m surprise to see that quality in you, Scott.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:17 am
Congratulations, Scott. Would’ve loved to have been there. You must be elated and exhausted. I can’t imagine going through the last year that you did. Raising a (vodka) martini to you.
September 10th, 2012 at 9:41 am
I remember walking this dude up and down the block, making him drink water, ice cubes on the back of his neck to keep him conscious. Once I hailed a cab and got a patron home and into her apartment. Another time I saw a big puffy down coat on the floor and went to pick it up. Underneath was a passed out guy. I got him awake, and able to leave on his own. He came back a few nights later with a big box full of 8 Ball comics to thank me for not letting him lay there. Sweet. I always cared about the customers. Except the assholes, of course. Hey! Where are the picks of the go-go boys?!
September 10th, 2012 at 10:18 am
That kind of spectacular performance is not only inspired from the top, but is enabled at every step by leadership and positive reinforcement from the top. So congratulations to you guys for assembling such a stellar team and empowering them to be their very best.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:23 am
Both my BF & I avoid bars & clubs, cause we don’t like crowds. But damn, the hype around Q, that lighting system, & this letter to your staff, makes me wanna go to Seattle just to check it out. Gald it’s going well!
September 10th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Wow. <3 And what wehotom said
September 10th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
The is one great boss who takes the time to thank his staff … remember find them doing something right over the next few weeks and thank them for doing it that way. We always find what people do wrong, but very rarely find them doing something right and then tell them how great they are. The guy who wrote that posting will find them doing something right and let know it and have it for doing it!
September 10th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Marvelous! The mutual respect should have everyone in town wanting to work for you. They should be so lucky! Good luck and keep it up!
September 10th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Well, Scott — did we expect any less?
I am glad you are so happy with your crew.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Scott, I live in the middle of what can only be described as Bumblefuck Pennsylvania. However, while driving home from work today, the architectural firm that worked on Q was mentioned, and your club was mentioned including the address! And rather glowing terms were used, so congrats for you and your staff, and what apparently was an amazing opening weekend!
September 10th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Why did I know all along that you’d be a cool guy to work for?
September 10th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I’m guessing they’re are simply following the example set by their amazing boss!
September 10th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
thought you might like this: http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2012/09/10/chs-pics-first-look-inside-q-broadways-new-nightclub
September 10th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
I want to reiterate your point. I felt welcomed and special by your staff. The bar staff stayed friendly and helpful even though they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of patrons. Kudos to all of them.
September 10th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I am so proud of you Scott! After I read this I went back to watch a video interview with Matt Ouimet, the new CEO/President at Cedar Fair, and one of the most striking moments was when he was talking about employees at Cedar Fair and his commitment to them. He said something to the effect that “employees/people want to feel respected, valued and appreciated”…..with the outcome being that employees behave and perform differently when they feel that sense of value and integrity. This note you wrote just reaffirms my belief that you truly do “get it” in a world were so few leaders/business owners do. Bravo to you!
September 10th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
OMG there are not enough superlatives to describe what a wonderful experience I had at Q’s opening weekend. Everyone did a spectacular job and minor glitches were met with aplomb! I’m glad I got to be there and experience your and your TEAM’S success!
See you at the Bourbon Bar -my new home away from home! Sean xo
September 10th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I don’t really know you, but given a previous history in F&B and awareness of the abuses that come from bad leaders as well as the rewards reaped by virtue of the good ones, I just want to send a sincere virtual shake of the hand and a nod that says, “Well done, sir. Well done.”
September 10th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
You’re a good man Mr Smith.
September 11th, 2012 at 3:57 am
Congratulations. Well done.
You have no idea how exciting this is viewing from the quite and pastoral cornfield in which I live here in the Loire Valley.
But, then, BIE always was quite a contrast, just not this way.
Thanks for all the joy
tim
September 11th, 2012 at 7:39 am
Your blog has become a self-congratulatory bore.
September 11th, 2012 at 8:21 am
That’s OK David, you’re clearly a fucking twit. Because you keep coming back in spite of the fact that you’re so bored by it.
To me that spells deep dumbass.
Now shoo little troll, shoo.
September 11th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
In the days before I took early retirement – 5 years now and I still don’t know how I ever found time to work – and when I had people to manage/lead, I remember being told that there was a whole theory of people management that said that by not beating people up if they fucked things up and praising and encouraging the good stuff they did, the bad stuff would go away. Shit, we learn by getting things wrong, so much better to help show someone how to do it better next time than just giving them a kicking. Today its called mentoring I think. Sounds like you had the same teacher!